Planning for Sustainable Growth and Water Resources in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Over the past several decades, a multitude of strategies, policies, and programs have been formulated and implemented in an effort to protect the quality of a most precious resource — the Chesapeake Bay. In 2006, Maryland passed a new law known as House Bill (HB) 1141 which directly addresses the relationship between planned growth and water resources. The Water Resources Element of HB 1141 ensures that future county and municipal comprehensive plans reflect the opportunities and limitations of the local and regional water resources. Situated on a peninsula in the Chesapeake Bay, Kent County, Maryland is nationally recognized for its rural character and serene beauty. Less than a two hour drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC, growth and development pressures have the potential to impact the sustainability of the water resources of the County. This paper includes a discussion of the following topics related to the update of the County's Water & Sewerage Plan which incorporates the Water Resources Element of HB 1141: (1) Overview of the Water Resources Element of HB 1441. (2) Tools and data sources (i.e., Source Water Assessments, TMDL's, land use plans, Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, etc.). (3) Water resources limitations (i.e., infrastructure, susceptibility of potable water sources to pollutants, point source nutrient load caps, and TMDLs). (4) Methods for managing growth where there is limited resource availability (i.e., building permit limitations, down zoning, etc.).